Groundbreaking Training to investigate abuse of Vulnerable People

Enfield Council’s Social Services and the Central Community Safety Unit (CSU) Service Delivery Team from the Metropolitan Police joined forces last week to deliver a unique training programme for investigating crime and abuse.

DCI Sam Faulkner from the Central CSU, DCI Healy from Local Enfield Police CSU and Bindi Nagra, Assistant Director from Enfield Council opened this innovative event, which showed their commitment to ensuring that adults at risk who live and work within Enfield have the support they require to respond to allegations of abuse and crime.

The course was held at Lea Valley Athletics Centre in Edmonton, and focused on investigating allegations of abuse towards adults.

This inter-agency event brought together all areas of expertise involved in dealing with safeguarding adults at risk.

The course was aimed at a range of professionals such as community nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, care coordinators and police officers, and was open to all professionals who may be required to undertake or assist in a safeguarding adults investigation.

Sadly it is often been a feature of serious case reviews that agencies do not effectively work together and have a lack of understanding of each others roles. The training addressed these issues, and promoted partnership work with professionals and adults at risk; it also provided a framework for best practice which has the potential to be rolled out across London.

Cllr Don McGowan, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services said "This joint training is an exciting and ground breaking opportunity to further ensure partnership working with the police to protect and support adults at risk.

"Camden police sent four officers to the training as they are very interested in running it within their own borough.

"Although joint training is usual practice for Safeguarding Children, it is unusual for Safeguarding Adults. We are hoping that this will begin to change, and that society begins to be as horrified by the abuse of adults as it is by the abuse of children.

"Abuse IS a crime, and historically adults at risk have not had proper access to the criminal justice system. This joint training will enable partner agencies to have a good understanding of their own and others roles in the investigative process.

"This new initiative clearly demonstrates both Enfield Council's and The Metropolitan Police's commitment to supporting and protecting the most vulnerable members of Enfield's community."

Anyone wishing to report the abuse of an adult can ring Enfield's Abuse Line on 0208 379 5212.